Pietermaritzburg - Caroline Wostmann has restored South Africa’s pride in the women’s race at the Comrades Marathon.
This year’s Two Oceans Marathon champion on Sunday became the first South African winner since Rae Bisschoff in 1998.
Wostmann absolutely blitzed the women’s field, finishing in a time of 6:12:20, about three minutes outside of Elena Nurgalieva’s up-run record in 2006.
The second woman home was also local - Charne Bosman finishing a whopping 20 minutes and some change behind Wostmann.
“It’s an incredible feeling, it’s absolutely amazing,” Wostmann said after the race, before dedicating her win to a team-mate of hers who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
“There was a bit of pressure. Two Oceans was almost an accident, but Comrades was the one I wanted to win so, so badly.”
Wostmann added that he body had struggled in the last 20km, but through mental strength and tactical walks up some of the hills she was able to completely dominate the race.
“I think anybody who gets to the end of this race has to have a great amount of mental strength,” she said, before adding that she would definitely be back next year.
“I feel like I’m just getting started.”